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A newly-enclosed courtyard redefines the interior layout and brings a closer relationship to the outdoors in this split-level house

The D*Haus Company’s brief for this house, part of a 1960s development in the Highgate Conservation Area, was to extend and update its layout, which is arranged over three split levels.

The practice sought to both respect the language of the original house and drew on studies of the Roman domus, creating an enclosed courtyard at the rear formed by extending the brick mass of the façade.

Roman Haus by the D*Haus Company

Source: The D*Haus Company

Axonometric

Architect’s view

Drawing inspiration from the typology of houses Ancient Rome, arranged around an atrium or courtyard, Our Roman Haus is located in a quiet cul-de-sac in Highgate Village, within an award-winning 1960s development in the Highgate Conservation Area. Our clients wished to extend and update the layout of the house, which is arranged over three split-level floors.

As part of our proposal, we respected the existing massing, retaining the front façade and continuing the existing mass of the rear façade to create an enclosed courtyard. We wanted to respect the forward-thinking architecture of the 1960s development so we kept as closely to that as possible, which was also welcomed by the planners.

The courtyard was remodelled with slim line glazing allowing the interior and exterior spaces to be merged so there is a seamless transition between living spaces and garden, flush flooring further reinforces the link between inside and out. A secret doorway hidden behind a custom-made bookshelf leads to a cinema room which also enjoys views over the courtyard.

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